Cystitis, or inflammation of the bladder, is caused by a bacterial infection. When any component of the urinary tract becomes infected, it is often referred to as a urinary tract infection (UTI). When the UTI goes untreated, or spreads to the bladder, the infection is considered to be more serious. The Mayo Clinic points out that a bladder infection can be painful and can become a serious health concern if it spreads to the kidneys. Several tests can identify cystitis.
Urine Analysis
Any symptoms of a UTI will prompt a doctor to order a urine analysis. This procedure requires the patient to cleanse the genital and ureter area with a sanitary wipe, begin urinating, and then hold the receptacle in the stream of urine to get a "clean catch" sample. The sample of urine will be evaluated for bacteria, blood, pus or the presence of any other abnormalities. While the urine analysis can reveal bacteria, it does not necessarily pinpoint where the infection exists. A doctor can probe the patient for symptoms, such as the location of pain and other urinary symptoms. The doctor will likely push on the abdomen, and sometimes the back, to find spots of tenderness. This type of test is still not definitive, but a round of antibiotics will likely be prescribed and follow up visit will be scheduled to ensure the UTI has cleared.
Cystoscopy
A cystoscope is a thin tube that has a light and camera attached for viewing inside the urethra to the bladder. A doctor can perform a cystoscopy with this device to view inside the bladder, as well as remove a small sample of tissue for testing. Cystoscopy is not the first test used for diagnosing bladder inflammation. Instead, it is often ordered for persistent or recurrent bladder infections.
WomensHealth.gov points out that while carrying out the cystoscopy, the doctor can fill the bladder with fluid, called distention, to get a better view. Bladder distention can allow the doctor to see signs of cancer, bladder stones, swelling, thickness, stiffness and the amount of urine the bladder can hold.
Imaging Tests
When infection is not to blame for the bladder infection, several other imaging tests will be ordered to identify a possible tissue abnormality. An X-ray or ultrasound can reveal the presence of a tumor or some other abnormality in the bladder or surrounding areas.
